19th century AD. An alam in the form of the hamsa or 'hand of Fatima' with supporting bands, dragon-head terminals; the front with repoussé detail and foliage, the four fingers with verses from the Qr'an (1, 112, 113, 114); to the palm a central roundel with the Nada 'Ali quatrain and twelve surrounding roundels with the names of the twelve Shia imams; beneath the fingers, an invocation of Fatima al-Zahra, to the thumb, an invocation of the prophet; leaf-shaped panel to the base attached to the tubular socket. 2.3 kg, 59cm (23 1/4"). Acquired on the London art market before 1995. See Christie's, sale 4204, 12-13 October 2006, lot 454 (realised £3120 hammer price) for a very similar, slightly less ornate example, possibly from the same workshop; with a printout of the Christie's piece.

Very fine condition.